Page 10 - Panama City Living Magazine September-October 2019

Note From the Publisher
Contributors
Our locals have shown remarkable resilience in the past
few months after Hurricane Michael and it is thrilling to
see businesses persevering and succeeding. Participation
in our Readers’ Choice Award voting has almost doubled compared to last year. It is a great affirmation that our local business community is going strong and is much supported and loved. We present our readers' favorites in this issue.
So many people make our community a better place and each story in this magazine presents an opportunity to see the world through their eyes, share their perspectives, and appreciate what it means to be "a local."
Janice and Milton Beal chose Panama City Beach as their home. They had many other options, but this is where they found their paradise. It was an absolute highlight to experi- ence Janice’s warmth and patience and Milton’s humor and smarts during our interview. I felt very much like a student, rewarded with knowledge and insights that puts life into perspective.
Stories are a mere snapshot of circumstances at a specific time and place. With every story in our magazine, there are impressions and teaching moments that I wish our readers could experience on their own.
With ongoing hurricane recovery efforts, our area is going through changes. Inevitably, our landscapes, neighbor- hoods, and natural resources are in transition. We humans are not the only ones facing the challenges, but we are the most likely to adapt and persevere. In this issue, we high- light how local organizations and individuals are providing a helping hand to nature, from dealing with the adverse effects of urban development in coastal areas by helping turtles survive, restocking redfish in local waters in an effort to abate the effects of red tide, and finally the efforts to restore coastal habitat that, in turn, will protect us from the next storm surge. Our stories invite you to active participation.
val@PanamaCityLiving.com
OLIVIA CROSBY
Olivia Crosby is a native of Florida, born and raised in Panama City. Olivia is Congressman Neal Dunn’s regional director. She is a member of the Emerald Coast Junior Women’s Club, a member of Bay County Chamber’s Leadership Bay steering committee,andabigsisterintheBigBrothers Big Sisters program. Prior to joining Dr. Dunn’s team, Olivia had 10 years of experience working in politics and government for the private sector, along with state and local officials. Olivia graduated from Florida State University with a bachelor’s degree in political science and communications.
MIKE FENDER
Mike Fender moved from Indiana to Panama City Beach in 2018. He spent 30 years working as a newspaper photojournalist in Indianapolis but lived in a small town outside the city. Mike covered Super Bowls, NBA Finals, climbed Mt. Whitney, and has been sent to Africa to tell a story. When not on assignment, he roams the coastal area trying to capture moments for the “perfect” photograph.
NICK MAY
Nick May is a native Floridian who grew up writing and playing in the Panama City arts and music scene. He is the author of the novels "Megabelt," "Minutemen," and "Molecricket" and lives along the Gulf Coast with his wife, Kayla, and their dog, Brother. Currently, he is working on a fantasy series for kids and young adults. Find Nick online at heynickmay.com.
LAURA ROESCH
Laura Roesch, a native of Florida’s east coast, earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from Radford University and a law degree from Indiana University School of Law. A retired judge, and a voracious reader, she serves on the board of directors of the Bay County Public Library Foundation. She and her husband collect vintage cars and motorcycles.
10 • September–October 2019 • www.PanamaCityLiving.com